Jim Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Carpenter-St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Denmark Township, has been named Master Interpretive Manager for 2012 by the National Association for Interpretation.

The award is presented annually to an association member who has worked for a minimum of five years in the profession and whose duties are at least 60 percent supervisory or administrative. Recipients must demonstrate a mastery of interpretive techniques, site and staff management and a respected ability to pass these skills to others.

In 1981, Fitzpatrick persuaded the Thomas & Edna Carpenter Foundation to transform a 300-acre private estate into a 725-acre nature center with campuses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Fitzpatrick was the center's first executive director. He will retire Jan. 4.

Carpenter serves more than 100 schools and 10,000 students annually, in addition to offering interpretive public programs and seasonal special events.